Frank Glick took this photo of an eagle on a gravestone at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. His picture inspired me to write this poem: Eagle’s Watch
In a quiet river valley,
Lies a green and peaceful place,
Where warriors come to rest,
Having honorably met their fates.
No more do they stand the watch
Their worthy service done,
They’ve passed their duties on
To other Fathers' sons.
Yet flying high above them,
On silent wings spread wide,
Soars freedom's embodiment
And a country's sign of pride.
The mighty Eagle watches o'er all
And guards their well-earned rests.
For he like they, knows the feel
Of Freedom in his chest.
And though he does his best to guard
The fallen warriors' sleep.
Still at times he grows so weary
And must rest his wings a-beat.
So slowly he glides his way
To where the fallen rest,
And there he bides his time a bit
Among the honored Vets.
And though he knows no words
Of the valiant warriors' speech,
Still they communicate
In a way that words can't reach.
Having communed with those who lie
Among the rows of stone,
The Eagle takes to flight again
And resumes his post alone.
In endless soaring circles,
He surely makes his rounds,
Guarding the fallen heroes
Who make this hallowed ground.
Jack Cook © 2011